The Light a Candle Society: The utterly uplifting book club read for 2026 from Sunday Times bestseller and author of The Keeper of Lost Things, Ruth Hogan
Jun 2025 · Atlantic Books
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About this ebook
Ruth Hogan will mend your heart in this top-ten Kindle Bestseller about finding hope in times of darkness.
' I laughed and cried and loved every single minute! ' Reader review, 5 stars
George McGlory is showing off his new shirt to his wife, Audrey. It's got bright-orange parrots on, but he knows she won't say anything. He's talking to the headstone at her grave. Audrey passed away two years ago, and George is still muddling through.
Across the cemetery he sees a lonely coffin with only council pallbearers in attendance. Mrs Kathleen Hooley was eighty-nine and she died safe and warm in her own bed, but had no friends or family to organise a funeral - or even send flowers.
Even through his own grief, George is deeply touched by Kathleen's lonely funeral. No one should be sent out of this world alone, surely?
Not on George's watch. With the help of his friends, he creates the Light a Candle Society, to make sure no one is forgotten. It might just remind him that there's still light in his life, too . . .
An uplifting story about compassion, kindness and finding the joy in starting again, perfect for fans of Mike Gayle, Ruth Jones, Jennie Godfrey or Graham Norton.
Praise for Ruth Hogan:
'WARM, COMPASSIONATE, WITTY' Mike Gayle
'MAGICAL . . . UPLIFTING' Anton Du Beke
'LIFE-AFFIRMING AND FULL OF LOVE' Celia Anderson
'WARMTH, WIT, AND PLENTY OF EMPATHY' Shelby Van Pelt
'Told with wit and heart' Beth Morrey
'Every page is a joy' Pip Williams
Readers love Ruth Hogan's uplifting and heartfelt The Light a Candle Society:
'Brave, enlightening and uplifting.' Reader review, 5 stars
' P oignant, heartwarming and it restores faith in humanity.' Reader review, 5 stars
' A brilliant book. I cried, I smiled.' Reader review, 5 stars
' Well my word what a beautiful story I've laughed but I've cried it all was so lovely.' Reader review, 5 stars
' The most joyous and moving tale and I laughed and cried and loved every single minute of reading it!' Reader review, 5 stars
' I laughed and cried and loved every single minute! ' Reader review, 5 stars
George McGlory is showing off his new shirt to his wife, Audrey. It's got bright-orange parrots on, but he knows she won't say anything. He's talking to the headstone at her grave. Audrey passed away two years ago, and George is still muddling through.
Across the cemetery he sees a lonely coffin with only council pallbearers in attendance. Mrs Kathleen Hooley was eighty-nine and she died safe and warm in her own bed, but had no friends or family to organise a funeral - or even send flowers.
Even through his own grief, George is deeply touched by Kathleen's lonely funeral. No one should be sent out of this world alone, surely?
Not on George's watch. With the help of his friends, he creates the Light a Candle Society, to make sure no one is forgotten. It might just remind him that there's still light in his life, too . . .
An uplifting story about compassion, kindness and finding the joy in starting again, perfect for fans of Mike Gayle, Ruth Jones, Jennie Godfrey or Graham Norton.
Praise for Ruth Hogan:
'WARM, COMPASSIONATE, WITTY' Mike Gayle
'MAGICAL . . . UPLIFTING' Anton Du Beke
'LIFE-AFFIRMING AND FULL OF LOVE' Celia Anderson
'WARMTH, WIT, AND PLENTY OF EMPATHY' Shelby Van Pelt
'Told with wit and heart' Beth Morrey
'Every page is a joy' Pip Williams
Readers love Ruth Hogan's uplifting and heartfelt The Light a Candle Society:
'Brave, enlightening and uplifting.' Reader review, 5 stars
' P oignant, heartwarming and it restores faith in humanity.' Reader review, 5 stars
' A brilliant book. I cried, I smiled.' Reader review, 5 stars
' Well my word what a beautiful story I've laughed but I've cried it all was so lovely.' Reader review, 5 stars
' The most joyous and moving tale and I laughed and cried and loved every single minute of reading it!' Reader review, 5 stars
Ruth Hogan will mend your heart in this top-ten Kindle Bestseller about finding hope in times of darkness.
' I laughed and cried and loved every single minute! ' Reader review, 5 stars
George McGlory is showing off his new shirt to his wife, Audrey. It's got bright-orange parrots on, but he k...
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Ratings and reviews
2 reviews
Carole Batten-Rutter
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July 23, 2025
I became so invested in the characters and storyline that I felt I knew these people. in addition I really hope there are people like George who make a difference to this world
About the author
Ruth Hogan studied English and Drama at Goldsmiths College and went on to work in local government. A car accident and a subsequent run-in with cancer convinced her finally to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. The result was her debut novel - The Keeper of Lost Things, which went on to become a global bestseller. She is now a full-time author and lives with her husband and rescue dogs in a rambling Victorian house stuffed with treasure that inspires her novels.
Insta: @ruthmariehoganauthor
Ruth Hogan studied English and Drama at Goldsmiths College and went on to work in local government. A car accident and a subsequent run-in with cancer convinced her finally to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. The result was her debut novel - The Keeper of Lost Things, which went on to becom...
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